Cynewulf of Wessex

Cynewulf of Wessex (720-786) was the king of Wessex from 757 to 786, succeeding Sigeberht of Wessex and preceding Beorhtric of Wessex.

Biography
Cynewulf was born in 720 to the House of Cerdicing, a dynasty of Catholic Anglo-Saxons. Cynewulf was made king of Wessex by Aethelbald of Mercia after the deposition of Sigeberht of Wessex, and he seized independence in 758 after Aethelbald was assassinated; he seized Berkshire from the Mercians, and he was also at war with the Welsh. At the Battle of Bensington in 779, Offa of Mercia retook Berkshire and London after defeating Wessex. In 786, Cynewulf was ambushed and killed by Cyneheard the Aetheling, the brother of Sigeberht.